Files were photocopied, scanned, and ocr programs run. Any errors in
the transcription are regretted.
ALICE HENSON ERNST 1880 - 1980
Since the bare details of Alice Ernst's life have been covered in the public
press, it seems unnecessary to repeat them here. Rather, it seems appropriate
to discuss her meaning to the University of Oregon. She goes so far back
that even the most senile among US remember her as a deaf old lady whose
chief importance consisted in her generosity to graduate students. Yet
even in her retirement she made some scholarly waves. She pUblished a book
on Northwest Theater, and her earlier work on Native Americans was being
noticed again. In retrospect, given her regional importance, one wonders
why she never received a Distinguished Service Award. The press released
document creative achievements that go beyond living memory. The symbol
for me is an anthology of plays in my library; it includes plays by Eugene
O.Neill and Alice Ernst.
Prepared by John Sherwood Professor of English
Mr. Chairman, I move that these memorials of Alice Henson Ernst and
Ira D. Lee be entered into the permanent record of this meeting and copies
be sent to the families.